Chicago Jazz Festival Art Fair

Greetings All,

This coming weekend I will be hanging out vending at the Chicago Jazz Festival. This will be a first for me and I hope/pray not the last. The art fair will be set up surrounding the north rose garden in Grant Park between Jackson Blvd and the famed Buckingham Fountain. I will be there for 3 days starting Friday and ending Sunday (Sept 4th, 5th, & 6th) from 11 am to 9:30pm each day and my darling daughter will be coming in from Georgia to lend me a hand and to just hang out with her mom.

The other fabulous artists/artisans in attendance are , Nnamdi African Origins, Wire Art Jewelry, Avril's Designs, Pretty Afrika Designs, Samsara Boutique, B&N Designs, Out of Africa, Ernani Silva, Cheryl Toles, Peter Hurley Studio, Sam Thread Art, Chester Allen, Patrick Crouch ("Official Artist"), Chris C. Crystals and More, Gallery Guichard, Third Generation Jewelers, Paul S. Benjamin, Kerream Jones, JJB Silver & More, Bayo Studio, Window to Imagination, Kit Enterprise LLC, and Semmerling & Schaefer Masks Studios.

The music line-up is great and some of my favorites are Dee Alexander, Esperanza Spalding, Fareed Haque, Muhal Richard Abrams, Von Freeman with the "New Apartment Jam", and Archie Shepp Quartet just to name a few. I am going to have a great time and if you are in town come on down to the fest and hear some wonderful music and stop by and say hello.

Innovations in Textiles 8

Greetings All,
My piece "Mother Earth" (right) from my mother series was accepted into the "Made by Hand" exhibit that is a part of the "Innovations in Textiles 8" event in St Louis, MO Sept 8 - Oct 8 at the Crossroads Art Studio and Gallery, 501 N. Kingshigway, St. Charles, MO. Made by Hand is regional juried exhibition sponsored by the St Louis Women's Caucus for Art. Opening reception, Sept 11th, 7-9 pm at Crossroads Art studio.

Other members of this exhibit are: Roxanne Phillips, Pat Owoc, Jennifer Weigel, Virginia Dragshutz, Clairan Ferrono, Nino Hecht, Lydia Brockman, Linda Elkow, Jean Mills, Janice Nesser, Kathy Weaver, Betsy Dollar, Christine Ilewski, Lisa Becker, Marie Samuels, Evie Shucart and Leslie Hume. I am in very good company and if you're in St. Louis, MO area check out the show and let me know what you think.

26th Annual Seaway Bank Art Fair

Greetings All,

I made it through another weekend of vending and above are the "We Three Quilter" (Charlotte Keith, Doris Barnes and friend). These ladies love machine embroidery and color. It was great seeing them and they won 3rd place in the fiber/doll category and I came in 2nd and Juliette Hurtz came in 1st. Above is Lori Watts-Branch, owner of "Sen Tea Mental Moods" relaxation & wellness specialty teas. I have been drinking Lori's teas all week and they are just wonderful. She also to me had the best display with her booth set-up it was just as relaxing as her teas.

Everett C. Williams (left) had for me the most interesting art and I love his laid back attitude. Gerald Sanders of "Studio Bronzeville" (below) and some of his students where there and I always look forward to seeing them and what they are doing. It is my desire to take classes with Gerald I love his technique and they way that he brings out the best in his students.

Bill Hill (below) of the "Murphy-Hill Gallery" was a 1st time exhibitor and I was great to see his wonderful photography. One of the most interesting artists to me was Dr. Yemonja Smalls (below) a clinical psychologist, specializing in treatment of behavioral disorders for children and adults. I love her colors, her sense of style and she has the most beautiful personality.

Eddie Hudson (below) is also one of my favorite artist and that is because he uses pencils/ball-point pens and dose lots of black/whites and I have a strong passion for black/white. It was great to see Eddie again this year.

The gathering of mature men, Babatunde (right) hanging out with one of his friends. Tunde is one of Chicago fabulous jewelry designers and is known across the country for his unique style. I own several of is small pieces and wear them with pride.

The "Over The Rainbow" coat was a hit again and it still has not found a home. This woman (right) told me that I was not going to be able to sell this coat until she went back to work next month because this coat belong to her. She asked to try it on and I agreed, but I didn't get her name She told me that she had seen me last month at the "Ethnic Festival" in Evanston, IL and had come to this event to see if her coat was still there. I will take it out again next month to the "Chicago Jazz Festival" Sept 4th, 5th, and 6th and we shall see if it sales then. The life on the road. I'm now on my way to "Artisans 21 Gallery" to do my bit for the day.

Artisans 21 Gallery

Greetings All,

I just returned from Artisans 21 Gallery dropping of some more small works and completing some paperwork. It's official now I am a member of the gallery and I'm very excited about that because this is a new beginning for me and I'm in some very good company. Do go to the website and check out some of the other artists. Two of the artists I just met within the last two months and one I've known for years, but never knew she was a part of this group, nor did I thinking about joining before. I am always amazed by life and for that I am thankful. The pieces I took I sewed them to mat-boards that I painted too complement. I notice that after a couple of months of hanging on the wall the pieces started to flop and needed more structure.

24th Annual Ethnic Arts Festival in Evanston, IL

Greetings All,
Well we survived another festival and I met some wonderful people as usual. This time I was amazed by the young people that wanted to take pictures of my work and in turn I took pictures of them and some of them immediately posed. I had a great time.

The new items that I took this time were the garments (left). The "Over The Rainbow" coat was the big hit. It got photographed with and without me and I even took a picture of it with and a friends that stopped by the booth (below). It also was modeled, stroked and praised, but it didn't find a new home yet.

Gwen McGee-Boyd (above right) had a great weekend also and here she is explaining one of her pieces. Gwen has a new website and do check her out at www.quiltingwithgwen.com/ It was a lovely weekend. Next month I will be at the "Seaway Bank"24th annual art fair on 15th and 16th from noon to 6 pm each day at 645 East 87th street. So if you are in the area come by and say hello. Summer in the city.

24 Annual Ethnic Arts Festival in Evanston, IL

Greeting All,

I'm still here I've just been planning for the "24th Annual Ethnic Arts Festival" in Evanston, IL. Last year was my first time doing this event and I want be alone, Gwen McGee Boyd of the "Sew What Art Quilters" is my sponsor and co-vendee. One day if rain for half a day and the second day was just a dream and people were out both days in spite of the weather and it's a beautful setting with lake Michigan as the backdrop.

I made a half dozen pantsuits (below) and finished several jackets/coats (above) for this weekend because last month that's what sold. I only sold two small art quilts, one apron and three jackets/coats. People keep asking about the pantsuits that I wear so this time I will try those. You never know what people want or will buy and I'm so very glad that I know how to do more that one thing. So if you are in Evanston, IL the 18th and 19th come by the festival and stop by booths 41 and 42 and say hello.

Lake Meadows Art Fair-2009

I had a great time at the 5th Annual Lake Meadows Art Fair. I shared a booth with Gwen McGee-Boyd of the "Sew What Art Quilters". There was great music, food, and friends. It was a two day event and I forgot how my body needs more time to rebound and it took me two weeks to recover and now I'm back. Gwen and I are getting ready now for the "24th Annual Evanston Ethnic Arts Festival" July 18th & 19th, 2009 in Evanston, IL we will be in booth 41 & 42 so if you are on town come by and say hello.

Several of my pieces found new homes and for that I am truly grateful. Than allows me room to make more and I know that those pieces will be enjoyed. (Kinda Blue-coat-left, Advancing Through Adversity-wall hanging, Ebony/Ivory/Scarlett-jacket, and Maple Leaf Rag-coat at the bottom of this page).

Below are some images of art work created by Britni Robinson and Jordan Walker (below center). These were two of the youngest artists at the festival and I love their work, their spirit, and how grateful they were for me to stop by to talk with them and to take their pictures for my blog. They were just charming.

The Scentuary is a delightful fragrance bar that has all types of body lotions, washes, salt scrubs, etc. Robin (left) stopped by our booth to chat and share what was going on at Scentuary. Check the website for more information.

Meet Cheryl M. Toles (right). Cheryl had batiks, paintings and other types of mix-media art in her booth that I found just fascinating. She was just so very kind when I asked her if I could take her picture for my blog. Visit her at Tolesart.com. Thank you Cheryl for sharing your work with us.

Ron Pruitt (left) is an artist that works in fused glass, both functional and wearable and this was my first time meeting him and I was drawn to his booth by the colors.

Terry Boykin (above) medium is digital art I was drawn to his color and personality. Terry is also a member of Artisans 21 Gallery here in Chicago's Hyde Park neighborhood. You can see more of what Terry graphic design, photo design, photo restoration, and more at TB Graphi X.

Reta Crawford (right) jewelry were just as grand as she is and it was a pleasure to have a booth next to hers and to watch how well she was received. This was her first time at Lake Meadows.

Jimi King 's (below) designs are colorful, and totally Jimi. I have watch women go into a frieze at this booth. They just amaze me at how much they want to be seen in one of his garments. I don't understand it, but I am still amazed.

Below is Marvin Sin, Akousa, and Damali and when ever I see these artisans I am overjoyed by there talent, color and since of style. Marvin creation are all in leather that has been had carved and painted. Akousa dose body bangle, earring, pins, and other fabulous jewelry. Damali garments are know around the world. They are created of the fines of fabrics, linen, silk, cottons that are construed as only she dose. Go to their websites for more eye candy and info.

These are some of my favorite peoples. Some have supported me and encourage along life way and I shall always be grateful. Some are old clients that I have created custom garments for, taught quilting and some I just met this weekend and just like their spirit. One young lady the last time I saw her she was about 6 or 7 years old and now she's 21 and I was most impressed to see and she and her mother remember me after all these years.

Donna and Ted Feaster (left) are long time friends and collectors of my work and I own several pieces of Ted's stain-glass and I am honored to view them each and every day in my home.
Their daughters are hanging out with my "Darling Divas/Friends" telling mom which new ones they want to add to their collection.

Babatunde (left) and Nii-Oti (right) are master craftsmen (below) at what they both do and have been doing of years (jewelry, painting, carving and collecting art affects) and I do own several pieces of their work and love wearing them with pride. I have some pieces created by Nii-Oti that I bought back in the 70's that I still wear that even surprised him.

Floretta King and Jean Woodruff have some wonderful, color, and varied accessories and I have known them for years and love their work ethic in their senior year they are sill going strong and that encourages me.

I also got a shot of my "Maple Leaf Rag" (above) on an admirer, she was all smiles. Unfortunately she didn't take it home with her, but it did go home with another admire and was truly glad. I thank you are for sharing your life/time with me.